Ante Budimir says he can’t wait to get back among the goals following the resumption of first-team training.
The striker has hit the target nine times so far this season and is the highest-scoring Croatian across Europe’s top five leagues, but believes finding the back of the net is just one of many things he misses about competitive football.
“The first day back at Son Bibiloni was spectacular,” he told Play Red. “To see the grass again, to touch the ball, to be with my team-mates – it was fantastic. It’s a bit strange for each player just to have one ball, but you have to adapt.
“Scoring goals is just one thing I miss about football, but I also miss many other things such as putting on the shirt, playing at Son Moix and being with my team-mates. It’s obvious that as a striker, I also missing celebrating scoring a goal.”
Should competitive football return as discussions between La Liga and the Consejo Superior de Deportes continue, the hosting of FC Barcelona could potentially mark the recommencement of our season – an opponent Budimir knows well having scored twice in a 5-2 defeat at Camp Nou earlier this season.
“It seems like that was a lot, but it’s better because it already a part of the past,” he continued. “Facing Barcelona will be a new and different game, so we have to forget about the result we had at Camp Nou. I think we can do much better than the first game. You’ve always got to look forwards.”
Taking advantage of spare time in lockdown to study for a degree in Economics, Budimir recently passed two exams and revealed how he manages to juggle education with professional football.
“My older sisters encouraged me to study a degree in Economics,” he said. “They were studying it and told me they would help me. That gave me the confidence to do it and honestly, I’m really enjoying it. I like to learn new things and not relax. Combined with professional football, it hasn’t always been easy to finish work in a timely manner.
“The rules at the university in Croatia where I study are very strict and you’ve got to do the exams in person. One of the good things about the pandemic is that it can now be done online. The other day I passed two exams. Vicente Moreno doesn’t need to worry though; I won’t be asking him for permission to leave on the day of the Barcelona game for exams! I’ve got time for everything.”
